A few days from Chapter 5.
Leonardo Lionheart was once a respected and revered headmaster. Since the Fall of Beacon, he has found himself increasingly isolated. Not that the lack of Cross-Continental Communication helped in that matter. He has been given a deal he couldn´t refuse.
Leo: Most of the Huntsman in Mistral are dead or missing, however, Salem wishes these last forty to meet a special fate.
His scroll is ringing off the hook as of late. Inquiries into the vanished not only from the council, but the people of Mistral. Family members turning up dead, or worse. Grimm violently ripping through villages without a trace.
Leo: She said I would live…as long as I handed Mistral and the Relic to her. My life…just my life.
The council threatened to call in Atlas´s special forces, since their own had been decimated. However, Leonardo convinced them otherwise, and to call up the reserves. Even those huntsmen and huntresses met gruesome ends at the hands of the Grimm.
(Reuben´s Cabin, Kingdom of Vale, Outskirts)
Raven had to leave to maintain control over her tribe. Reuben told her about his encounter with Tyrian. Not only did she express her displeasure over his moral code, but any chance of her getting the money for herself.
Reuben: I haven´t seen any Huntsman missions in the sector of Vale in quite some time.
Reuben is one of the only Huntsman that can reach an outbreak site in less than an hour. His speed has gained him enemies amongst other huntresses and huntsmen who have to travel far to find work. Since Reuben is fast, and he has helped a majority of Vale´s districts, the mission response time has gone down, and thus the huntsman and Huntresses that may be more experienced than Reuben won´t be paid as much.
Reuben: I could help repair Beacon Tower, then again, Goodwitch told me that she could handle it last time we spoke.
Reuben then Zoomed out of his Global mission board, before pinging over to Mistral. A yellowish black checkmark appeared over the city of Mistral. Reuben checked the danger meter, it looked as if every Grimm known to man was centered in that location.
Reuben: Mistral, is overrun?
Reuben tried powering off his scroll. He booted it back up, and the reading was the same. The only time there had been a reading this big was when Beacon Fell. Reuben then looked at the description of the mission.
Reuben: The Council of Mistral is urging all Huntsmen to report to Haven Academy. Haven has experienced a surge in Grimm attacks, depleting our reserves. You will be compensated once the mission is completed. Please note, this mission is only for the most experienced Hunters and Huntresses, those who are not licensed Huntsmen or Huntresses will be turned away without exception.
Reuben is perplexed, he was only in Mantle when he beat Tyrian. Then again, he didn´t see many trained Huntsman, Huntresses or Students in his travel there.
Reuben: This could not be the work of a few Grimm; Mistral has a large number of Hunters and Huntresses, and if they are all gone… it must mean one thing…Invasion.
Reuben did not check himself down for the mission board. Rather, he picks up his weapon, puts on his old Atlas Uniform, and heads out.
(Atlas)
Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, is currently singing in her wonderful voice. Her stage is dark, the symbol of Atlas being the only thing visible on stage, except for herself. Weiss had returned home after the Fall of Beacon.
Weiss: Singing beautifully
She sings passionately to the large crowd.
Weiss: I will not surrender…this life is mine!
She receives a large round of applause as she bows her head. Pleased with her performance. Her gaze shifts upwards to her family´s box. She searches for her father´s approval, but only finds her brother clapping for her. Her father glares down at her. She turns her back to the crowd, and with her eyes half closed, slowly walks away.
(Atlas dining hall)
The richest families in Atlas have come to hear Weiss perform, and to view the art gallery. One man in particular is there. His name is Sam Henry, former Headmaster of Atlas Academy. He stands in a corner, off to the right, making conversation with the rest of his former cabinet. His Right hand, Eric, could not attend, but the Former Headmaster knows it's for a good reason. He swipes through his scroll, casually checking on his company´s financials. The focus then shifts over to Jacques Schnee who is talking with Councilman Sleet.
Jacques: The Faunus are being paid the same wages as the rest of our mining staff. Their argument´s completely invalid right out of the gate.
Weiss has her head tilted down, her eyes not looking at her father the entire time.
Sleet: Well, I think the broader issue is our society as a whole.
Jacques: What? You mean Atlas?
Weiss glances at a painting, while Sam finishes his drink. He looks at the young girl with concern. She doesn´t notice him at all.
Sleet: Atlas, Mantle, you can´t deny the economic disparity between the two.
Woman: I mean, what exactly are you suggesting?
Weiss attempts to walk away, but her father grabs her arm. Her blue orbs grow wide out of fear. She looks back to her father, him not looking at her. He then turns around to look at her.
Jacques: Where are you going?
Weiss´s eyes dart to the side.
Weiss: I´m just a little thirsty.
Jacques: Sweetheart, we have people for that.
He attempts to get the attention of a server before Weiss lowers his arm.
Weiss: What? No, I can get it. I´ll be right back, I promise.
The two exchange looks before Weiss walks off.
Jacques: Sorry, I tuned out form a moment, sounds like I´m the good guy, again?
Weiss walks over to the painting of Beacon Academy. Sam Henry is able to get to Weiss before Henry Marigold, he gives the boy a stare, telling him to piss off.
Sam: Beacon Academy at it´s height.
Sam stands with his dark beverage in one hand. Weiss looks over at him.
Weiss: Mr. Henry.
She moves to shake his hand, and he accepts in turn.
Sam: Please, my friends just call me Sam.
Weiss looked at the Atlas Businessman. Sam´s father had built Atlesian tech and was instrumental in pioneering an affordable scroll for the average citizen. His black business suit contrasted against her father´s pure white one. His black tie was not a clip-on and furthermore, he seemed to have his original blond hair, however due to his age, gray hairs have set in.
Weiss: What is a man like you doing here? I assumed you would be busy?
Sam: Nope, myself and the Headmaster, well, former Headmaster, Ozpin, got along well. So, to show my support, I came here.
Sam raises his hand, and his empty drink is taken away.
Weiss: At least someone cares about Beacon.
Sam: You were there, I take it?
Sam turns to look at Weiss, trying to help her through what must be a difficult time.
Weiss: Yes…
Sam: I´m sorry, no amount of money can replace the lives lost, nor the damage done on that day. Hell, I could personally buy every brick to rebuild the building. But we both know that´s not what made it Beacon.
Weiss: It was the people, the people who lived there.
Sam: And made memories for decades.
A woman with spray-tanned skin and blonde hair can be heard boasting. Weiss´s attention turned to the woman, and her good mood quickly soured.
Woman B: I´m not surprised what happened to Vale, they had it coming.
Man: Honey!
Woman B: What?! You said the same thing last night. If they´re so arrogant to think that they can get by without proper Kingdom defense. The I say good riddance!
Weiss: SHUT UP!
Everyone stopped, stunned and looked at Weiss.
Jacques: Weiss?
Weiss: You don´t have a clue! None of you have a clue!
Of course, she was excluding Mr. Henry from that statement.
Woman B: Excuse me?!
Weiss: You´re all just standing around talking about nothing! Worrying about your hair, your money, your stupid problems that don´t mean anything.
Jacques walks towards Weiss, angry about her causing a scene.
Jacques: Weiss, that´s enough!
Jacques grabs her arm again. She struggles in her father´s grip. Her eyes search for Sam Henry, to have him help. However, he had stepped out to use the restroom.
Jacques: You´re embarrassing the family!
Weiss struggled harder.
Weiss: Let me go!
She falls over, and her semblance activates. A giant boar forms and chases after the woman, before it can strike her. General Ironwood shoots it down.
Woman B: Arrest Her!
Ironwood looks over to Weiss.
Woman B: What are you waiting for? She´s insane! She should be locked up.
Ironwood looks back at the woman.
Ironwood: She´s the only one making sense around here.
Ironwood looks over at Jacques, as he prepares his leave.
Ironwood: Thanks for the party, Jacques.
Ironwood exits the room, and Jacques glares at Weiss, he would punish her later.
(Southern Mistral)
Reuben walks along the path, the path that allegedly contained fearsome Grimm. He is trailed by the remaining Huntsmen and Huntresses. He then turns around, and looks at them, they look up at him.
Reuben: How many of us are there?
Huntress 1: About 23, Sir.
Reuben looks at the weary crowd, would the council lead them this far into dead lands for no good reason.
Reuben: How many of you have lost someone to this Grimm Surge?
Nearly all of them raise their hands. Reuben then ponders something. What if the Council wasn´t giving them these orders? What if they were being deceived?
Reuben: Did you all get the same notifications?
Hunter 1: Yes, I surely did.
Reuben: Turn off your scrolls everyone.
The band of Hunters and Huntresses do so in unison.
Reuben: I suspect, that the council of Mistral has been infiltrated, and that these missions were created specifically to strip Mistral of its defenses.
Huntress 2: How do you figure that?
Reuben: Simple, I complied all the large missions in the last few months that have gone incomplete. It seems like the purpose of this mission was the same as the rest.
The crowd starts to get angry. Friends, and teammates alike had been led to the slaughter, if this was true ten the only course of action was war.
Reuben: Follow me to Haven Academy, so we can have a chat with Leonardo Lionheart!
The crowd cheer in delight, as they reverse course, unbeknownst to the an who sent them there.
(End of Chapter 6)